Published online by Cambridge University Press: 19 November 2008
This paper will address the following questions:
1. What is language proficiency?
2. What is the relationship between first and second language proficiency?
3. What major theories have been born or laid to rest in the last year or so?
4. Can any consensus be discerned in the various extant controversies?
Although the review will concentrate on research published or presented at professional meetings on testing in the last year, some of the themes will necessitate reference to earlier work, and much that might be considered relevant by other authors will be omitted. The objective is to set down as much as possible to identify controversial issues for what they are, and to highlight emerging trends as best I can them.